Fishing Gear
General precautions on the fishing deck include the following:
- Make sure that the person controlling the net drum can see the crewmen handling the sweeps and nets. Where this is not possible, possible solutions include relocating the controls or installing emergency stops on the aft side of the net drum. Mirrors or close circuit television system may be useful here in giving an adequate view from the control position.
- Ensure that the control is in good working order and is protected from being snagged by netting or being accidentally knocked.
- Crew can get seriously injured falling on to moving warps. Where possible, guards or barriers should be installed in all areas where it is possible that a person could make contact with the moving warps. Otherwise, put in place a system prohibiting persons being in the vicinity when the winches are in operation.
- Similarly, where people have to pass by winches and other deck equipment with exposed moving parts, make sure guards or barriers are installed.
- Make sure all equipment is maintained in good working order. Rollers and sheaves can suffer rapid wear and if badly grooved will damage the warps. Failure of brakes, clutches, bearings, controls and structure of winches could result in serious injuries to crewmembers.
- Install emergency stop switches in prominent places on deck.
- Make sure there is a means to quickly and safely jettison the trawl gear, when the fishing gear snags on the seabed.
- Communication between the wheelhouse, the winch operator and the men on deck must be clear. Use hand signals where it’s clearly understood by all crew.
- Crewmembers must stand where they can be seen to show that they are clear of danger.
